North West Premier Thandi Modise has described ANC Veteran Juliet Mogale as an outstanding patriot and unsung heroine of the struggle for liberation, a human rights and a gender activist. Mogale who was a former secretary to ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu and deliverer of letters for world icon Nelson Mandela was buried at the  Letlhabile  cemetery near Brits today.

Premier Modise said that MamaJuliet Mogale, daughter of the business woman where ANC activists in the 40s & 50s used to consult at her restaurant – Blue Lagoon situated in Princess street, Johannesburg was a selfless cadre who served with humility and was part of women political and trade union activists who brought attention to the class, race and gender oppression and exploitation of women and contributed towards placing non-sexism alongside non racialism and democracy as key liberation principles. 

“Mama Mogale cared deeply for our people and even established a crèche for the benefit of the Itsoseng community near Hebron in her old age. She has left an indelible mark and will always be remembered as an embodiment of ubuntu. Though she deserved better, she never felt that she was owed for her gallant contribution. Hers was a life well lived in service of her people. We are saddened by her death and wish to convey our condolences to her family and the community that she loved and served,” said Modise.

Mogale worked for the ANC for years dating back to the 50s in Soweto came to reside in Itsoseng near Hebron in the North West Province where she continued working with like the late Francis Baard and others.-TDN
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